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Although there are a fair few Used E200MMCs coming onto the market recently. 

Argh not heard much from you recently, which company is it your at these days??? 

And also talking about clueless if you bothered to read anything above you would see I was talking about Straightlines views on National Express (see the big capital N and X I used 🤦). I didn't even mention Diamond so no clue why your are bringing that company up now.

And further was Landflight or Kevs or any such company named as a cowboy - NO! Because they actually use new vehicles, follow timetables and maintain buses to good standards. However, as usual, you don't seem to understand that criticising certain small companies for shoddy practises doesn't mean I am saying it about every small company.

How hard is it that really to understand? Geez 🤯

Who are the cowboy operators currently operating TfWM work?

Well that's a shame as you clearly are clueless comparing NX to these sort of companies. I'm even thinking your dislike of any alternative viewpoints on such companies is suggesting you are/were involved in such a transport enterprise. Maybe I'm wrong but it's intriguing nonetheless 🧐.

He's not clueless. Unfortunately you're the clueless one in this debate, as usual. 

How many times have LandFlight or Kevs been called to PI compared to Diamond? Compare the fleet volume now buddy! Far smaller bus fleet. Nonsense as always from j789.

Has it been made public yet?

The reason why is that whilst the Tender Outcomes have been sent to Operators, the Operators now have a period to accept or decline the tender. Nothing will be made public until both parties are satisfied and happy to go ahead. 

Tender Outcomes were sent out today - shouldn't be too long till we find out who's won what!

Presumably E334 is well along the ADL construction line, or may already be available. So given the rumour that it's first appearance will be at the NEC in November will it be delivered direct to that venue or via, say, Birmingham Central, assuming of course the rumour is true.

What is so special about that one? I've seen it mentioned a few times now.

Is it a new generation E400EV (I.E non BYD?)

Sackable offence, surely?

Does it auto activate an electronic handbrake, and the engine restart when you press the accelerator?

I must say, on a car it's something you get very used to and it comes as second nature to press the accelerator if it has activated at, say traffic lights just before green, in which case there's no delay. However, if all vehicles had it, imagine all those saved emissions if you're queuing in a traffic jam or at lights! I know some will say this is woke or some other such silly idea, but for the people who have to live breathe and work around the emissions it's not.

Have you ever noticed that on certain media it's always the people who want to drive through the areas and create the emissions that environmental features like EVs, ULEZ are designed to combat who moan loudest!!

It's not like when in a car, where it's usually seamless. 

On a bus, it adds a second or two which coupled with rubbish acceleration when compared to a car, makes a difference.

Have drove coaches down there in the past, it's an experience I tell you that much

Just keep accelerating - they all move out the way

If TfWM have been notified and they're okay with this, then I'm sure there won't be any problems.

I think you should be a bit more supportive to a very small operator. Clearly they've put the effort in to keep the service running whilst they are experiencing issues with their usually complaint fleet.

As already mentioned, I'm sure TfWM would rather the bus running than nothing at all!

From a taxpayer point of view, you're absolutely right - but, this is the kind of attitude that has forced SMEs out of this sector.

I'm sure they'll be back to full compliance swiftly.

It also needs the bus lanes to be rigorously enforced.

While travelling home on the diverted 2 this evening, I noticed that the new bus lane along Moseley Road seemed to be utterly pointless, due to parked cars, and a huge number of cars trying to exit that new car park, as well as other cars overtaking dangerously on the wrong side of the road cutting into traffic so they could get into Montpellier Road.

Yup - nobody gives a damn in the city anymore. Anywhere within the Outer Circle is a risk.

Hall Green parade bus lane is also a car park now. 

Overall, driving standards in Birmingham have massively declined over the last 5-10 years. 

I see it more as I'm a Coach driver these days, driving in different cities. When returning to Birmingham, that descent from the M6 J6 onto Aston Expressway and beyond, I dread. Even on the motorway as you approach the Birmingham area (between say J4 and J10) you notice a decline in driving standards. The attitude is 'not giving a damn, because why should you?'

I don't know what the solution is. Enforcement but at the risk of over enforcement.  

Personally I don't think cross city routes will work, even with the bus lanes. As if there is one issue at one terminus, or one side of the route, then the other side will be screwed.

It will if the infrastructure is there meaning bus lanes, more junctions like Small Heath highway which stops all traffic when a bus approaches etc.

Metrobus in Bristol is a good example of this. 

Interesting that a number operators are switching from Megabus to Flixbus.

There's existing Flixbus operators who can't wait to leave their contract too.

Where do you find that from and what for

Section 5.2

Notices And Proceedings Publication 2674

I now suspect we might either see a new entrant to the WM market or Stagecoach may go for a big swoop again.

Only hearsay though, of course. 

Not all the buses have Door Interlocks - working ones anyway... and that particular bus is lovely during the peaks! The doors automatically close after approx 10km/h. Perfect!